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Anggun C. Sasmi: Seizing center stage with wit and sass
The spectators in their seats – who had waited more than an hour past the promised time – had grown restless in the dimmed concert hall
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he spectators in their seats – who had waited more than an hour past the promised time – had grown restless in the dimmed concert hall.
JP/R. Berto Wedhatama
The thrill and impatience of having their long-awaited diva emerge onstage surged, causing them to break out in chants.
“Anggun, Anggun, Anggun,” the crowd repeatedly called out for their idol.
Suddenly, a woman shrouded under a golden cape, illuminated under a spotlight, appeared among the crowd of concertgoers and glided onto the stage. The tense stirring of violins of the Sa’Unine Orhestra hidden behind a curtained stage elevated the mood.
The crowd whistled and cheered, shouting the name of their idol louder as the woman reached center stage, her back to the crowd. She then slipped off the cape, revealing gleaming black hair and a lustrous gold costume.
She swiveled around, prompting even wilder cheers as she took her time to acknowledge the crowd by giving them confident bows.
Pop-rock darling Anggun C. Sasmi’s concert had officially begun.
“My heart is pounding because I’m feeling nervous,” Anggun told the crowd after belting out her first two songs: the high-octane rock song “Stronger” and the toned down tunes of “Impossible”.
“And I know why. It’s because I’m no stranger here. You have known me since I was a youngster in shorts,” she said, indicating the start of her career as a child singer in the 1980s.
Then came the droll punchline, which sent the hall rollicking in laughter.
“Now that I’m grown, it’s my dress that’s short,” she joked, candidly referring to her couture gold mini dress by Tex Saverio.
As she sashayed up to a platform, she threw an offbeat wisecrack again that sent the entire stadium into giggles.
“Were my undies visible as I walked up? Consider it a bonus,” she quipped.
These fun, fearless remarks – evidence of her wit and self-assuredness – became the signature of the Sunday night concert at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), five years after a similar concert at the same venue.
Her ease — besides her robust vocals and equally robust physique — reminded her fans why they have adored the singer throughout her two-decade career.
Anggun released her first official album in 1986, featuring chart-topping hits such as “Tua-Tua Keladi” and “Mimpi” – which became a signature song of the rock-happy 80s.
However, she left her career behind in 1995 when she married and relocated to Europe. After a difficult beginning, Anggun successfully jumpstarted her career in France in 1997 with the hit single “Snow on the Sahara”, which brought her international recognition.
Her reemergence was very much welcomed by her fans in Indonesia whom she has remained connected to.
“Aku tresno kowe,” she told the crowd in her native Javanese tongue, meaning “I love you”.
However, her fans were not the only ones thrilled to have her back. Two fellow musicians, Denada and Armand Maulana, were glad to share the stage with her.
That night, Denada rapped as Anggun, her fingers dancing on the piano, softly sang “Want You to Want Me”.
Anggun then locked in a long embrace with Armand, the frontman of Gigi, as they sung the nostalgic “Kembalilah Kasih” (Come Back My Love).
“It has been 21 years since I was on stage with her,” Armand reminisced. “She left to build up [her career] in France, which has made her what she is now.”
The songs were not all energetic or nostalgic that night. One song, “Berkilaulah” (Eternal), was especially poignant as images of Anggun’s father, Darto Signo, were projected on stage.
Darto, a Javanese writer, taught Anggun how to sing.
“That song was one of the hardest to write. I realize that sorrow is a part of life to make one stronger. There are people whose memories will remain in our lives,” she said in a hushed, raspy voice.
However, it did not take long for her to return to her humor. She struck a pose and asked the crowd if her dress, a modern songket by another young Indonesian designer, Didit Hediprasetyo, was all that.
“This is a songket darling. It took three days to weave a 25-centimeter piece. I think those who made it have passed out,” she quipped whimsically.
The concert went on with more songs and performances, with one by renowned Indonesian traditional dancer, Eko Supriyanto, who translated the poetic “Snow on the Sahara” — with Anggun singing alluringly — into bold dance moves.
The almost two-hour concert ended with the sprightly and humorous song “Tua-Tua Keladi” – about a Don Juan type – which Anggun belted out using a fashion signature from her old days: a tipped beret.
“Don’t just sit down,” she said, inviting the audience to jump along with her.
Under a sprinkle of confetti, the concert then drew to a close as Anggun and the other performers took a bow.
